Horse artillery in crisis meeting (5)
I believe the answer is:
cobra
'horse artillery in crisis meeting' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'horse artillery' is the wordplay.
'horse' becomes 'cob' (type of horse).
'artillery' becomes 'RA' (Royal Artillery).
'cob'+'ra'='COBRA'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cobra that I've seen before include "one leading charmed life?" , "Venomous hooded snake" , "Deadly snake called King" , "Hooded snake - AC model of old sports car" , "Reptile (found in Cabinet Office Briefing Room A?)" .)